Elevator conveyer



Nov. 13, 1923. mums L. B. NEIGHBOUR I ELEVATOR CONVEYER Filed March 12, 1920 3 Sheets-Sheet l Nov. 13 1923..

11,473,7Q5 B. NEIGHBOUR ELEVATOR CONVEYER Filed March 12, 1920 3 Sheets-$heet 2 w Q WM a 5 3 m m w. w m s a s. aw 5 Mm a N 2 Y E I. .I v V mm X /1 QM V R O u m hm E r3 0 Y 1 Ill m 7 PM o m QMI/KW B Q \hv v v M w v E n H N w m WW I, L x m M B E Q I L m .M'N KN. MN N 0 om- 3m Q mm 7 Q w g Q mm 9 RN 1 7M 0 mm Patented Nov. t3, i923.

LEONARD B. NEIGHBOUR, OF MOLINE. ILLINOIS fi f i. "ra ar it IE NT tr it ASSIGNOR TO DEERE dz COMPANY,

OF MOLINE, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

ELEVATOR CONVEYER.

Application filed March 12, 1920. Serial No. 365,137.

Be it known that l. lncorv'iuni B. Ninetinoirn. a citizen ot the llnited States, and a resident ot' .iloiine, in the county of Rock island and State otlllinois have invented certain new and useful lmprovements in Elevator t onveyers. oi' which the following is a specification. retereme being bad to the act-mnpanyiup drawings.

iily invention relates to elevator conveyers and particularly to a machine of this type for handling: sugar lreets. When beets are har ested and broughtto market they are ordinarily either loaded directly into cars at the rail ay o" are arranged in long piles rt a suitable distance from a track for storage until cars are available. The machine to which this application relates is designed to be used either tor loading the beets into cars directly from the wagon or from piles 'lreviously heaped up as above suggested or for piling; up the beets from the Wagons into large piles when ears are not available. It is the object of my invention to provide in machines of this type new and improved connections between the elevator and its supporting frame for securing improved operation and more convenient transportation and to provide a new and improved term and arrangement. of driving connections between the elevator and the motor by which it is driven. The preferred means by which I have acconuilished these objects and other objects which will be set; forth hereinafter are illustrated in the drawings. That which I desire to cover by this application is set forth in the claims.

In the t'lrawings,-

Fig. l is-a side view of an elevator conveyerembodying my improved construction, the elevator being! partly broken away for convenience ot illustration.

Fin. 2 is a large fragmentary view, partly in section. illustrating iiem ans for corn nectingthe elevator to the framework of the machine.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of the lower portion of the elevator and ot the front portion (it the wheeled treme upon which the elevator is mounted. f

Fig. 4 is a. fragmentarv view partly section. illustrating the detachable connection between the elevator and the'conve ver illustrated partially by which the beets are delivered to the elevator.

Fig. 5 av view of my improved machine, partly broken away, illustrating the same in traveling condition.

llet'erring to the several figures of the drawings, it) indicates the longitudinallyextending bars and 11 indicates the trans versely-extending bars of the frame of the. machine having carrying wheels '12 mounted. thereon in any suitable manner. in elevator 12 of any usual construction is pivotally mounted upon the framework as hereina tter described. In the construction shown. the elevator 13 comprises an endless belt 1% of any approved type mounted at the lower end of the elevator upon a shaft 15 by which the elevator is adapted to bedriven for 'arr vin the upper run of the belt l tup ward for carrying beets lOIlQ'ltUllilitlllY of the ele *ator, the endless belt 14- being provided with a plurality of transverse plates it; for rendering the conveyer effective in the manner described.

The elevator 13 is adapted to be swung: upward into inclined position above the wheeled frame by the use of any approved mechanism. The means illustrated cone prises a plurality o? uprights or spars ll' pivotally iounted at the rear end of the wheeled 'l'rame. Connected links 15% attached to the upper end of the uprights and to the forward end of the wheeled t..nue act :15 guys for the uprights ii" to prevent their sw nging; too tar toward the rear. i't tiltiii" comprising" suitable blocks it) and 2 and a cable 21 supports the elevati'ir from the upper end of the uprights. the block 20 being'connected to the upper end port on of the elevator by n'ieans of a system of links indicated by The cable 21 attached at its end to a drum 23 which is rotatablv mounted upon a trame 52 1: rigidlv mounted upon the elevator l3. The drum E2 adapted to be rotated tor \Vll'ltllilfl up the cable 21 thereon by means of a winch which is tixedly connected with a pinion 26 meshing: with a grear 2T fixedly mounted upon the shaft 28 of the drum. It ratchet wheel 29 and pawl 30 eooperatimz therewith aetnormally to prevent the i'ulnii'ig' ot the drum in clockwise direction as shown in Fig. 3 for unwinding tit-:2 "able.

(donning now to the. means tor pivotaily mounting the elevator upon the whee "l frame. ll indicates a rock shaft rotatab mounted in hearings carried loy bars;

llil

10 of the frame (see Fig. The roelrshaft 31 has fixedly mounted thereon two oppositely disposed arms 33 which in the construction shown are formed integrally with the rock shaft. forming therewith a yoke adapted to swing about the axis of the shaft. A heavy shaft 34: extending between the arms 33 pivotally connects the elevator 13 to said arms, as will be understood from an inspection of Figs. 1 and 3. During the operation of raising the elevator 13 into inclined position above the wheeled tame, the elevator rests at its lower portion upon the rock shaft 31 until it reaches the point at which its lower end is brought into contact with the ground. As the elevator is raised abovethatpoint.the lower end of the elevator is shifted along the ground toward the supporting wheels 12 and the elevator is raised out of contact with the rock shaft 31. the arms 33 of the yoke swinging u iward about the axis of the rock shaft 31 idy the provision of a link connection of this sort between the frame and the elevator. affording a movable pivot by which the connection between the frame and the elevator is effected. the elevator is free to rise to the limit of the motion provided by the raising means without the necessity for providing a pit for the lower end of the elevator and without any tendency to raise the supporting wheels at the forward end of the machine off the ground.

The means for driving the endless belt. l4 of the elevator comprises a SPlOtktt gear 35 fixed upon the shaft 15 and a sprocket chain 36 connecting said gear with a sprocket gear 37 fixed upon a shaft 38 positioned on the axis upon which the elevator is pivotally mounted on the arms 33. For this purpose the shaft 38 extends through an axial opening through the shaft 34. as is shown in Fig. Power is applied to the shaft 38 by means of a large gear 39 fixed thereon, such gear in turn being driven by an intermeshing gear or pinion 40 positioned on the axis upon which the arms 33 are pivotally connected with the supporting frame. in order to accommodate this position of the pinion 40, the rock shaft 31 is offset. at this point, in the construction shown the offset portion of the shaft 31 being in the form of a housing indicated by the numeral H. The gear 40 is mounted upon a stub shaft 49 journaled in the end of the rock shaft 31 and driven by means of a sprocket gear 43 fixedly mounted on said shaft. the gear 43 being driven by av sprocket chain it which passes about a.

sprocket gear 45 mounted upon the drive sha ft to of a suitable motor 4-7 mounted upon transversclvextending bars 48 carried by the wheeled frame. For tightening the chain 44, the bearings 32 in which the rock-shaft 31 is mounted are made adjustable upon the bars 10 of the frame. as shown in Fig. 9, adjusting screws 49 of any appropriate type being provided connecting the hearings to the frame for controlling the adjustment and for reinforcing the securing means.

When the machine is prepared for transport-at ion from one point to another, the elevator i2} is, of course, lowered so as to rest. upon the wheeled frame, and the uprights l? are swung downward as shown in Fig. 5. In order to shift. the elevator to a more convenient position upon the wheeled frame than that in which the elevator rests when first lowered out of inclined position, means is provided for swinging the link or yoke comprising the rock shaft 31 and the arms 33 so as to shift the pivotor axis upon which the elevator is mounted whereby the elevator is moved rearwardly with respect to the frame. This shifting means comprises a long arm or lever 50 which by insertion in a suitable socket in the end of the rock shaft 31 is available for eifecting the desired swinging operation. As will be readily understood. this operation of shifting the position of the elevator with respect to the frame comprises successively raising and lowering the elevator as the arms 33 are raised to their upright position and again lowered. The elevator is thus adapted to re main by gravity in either of its adjusted positions. l'tith the elevator in shifted position as shown in Fig. 5. the lower end of the. elevator extends only a. short distance beyond the forward end of the. wheeled frame so not to interfere with the easy attachment of any desired draft means.

By reason of the location of the gear or pinion 40 upon the axis of the link or yoke upon the frame, the arms 33 are adapted to be swung for shifting the position of the elevator on the frame without disarranging the driving mechanism in any way, the gear 39 being adapted to travel about the pinion 40 during this shifting operation without, affecting the operative engagen'ient of the gearing. In like manner, the operation of raising or lowering the elevator above the supporting frame does not affect the driving connections, inasmuch as it involves merely a slight change in the position of the chain36 with respect to the gear 37. In effecting either of these adjustments, the endless belt or conveyor 14 is free to shift may be required to acconnnodate the changed positions of any of the parts.

In the construction shown. the gears 39 and -10, by which the power is applied to the elevator from the power mechanism on the supporting frame. are held rigidly in proper position with respect to each other by the arms 33 which prevent completely any possible tendency of the power to displace the elevator from its normal adjusted position above the. supporting frame. Inasmuch as the engine ll" and the gear or pinion sit) are held in fixed position upon the rigid IOU supporting frame, the lateral pull of the chain 44 upon the pinion 4-0 and its shaft 42 is completely counteracted and there is no tendency by this means to cause a displacement of the elevator.

The construction illustrated in the drawings comprises a conveyer 51 of any approved type for delivering per of the conveyor elevator. Means is provided for driving the conveyer 51 from the motor 47. In the construction shown this driving mechanism comprises a sprocket gear 53 fixed upon one end of the shaft 38 adjacent to the gear 39, and a sprocket chain -t connecting said gear with a sprocket gear 55 mounted upon a shaft 56 journalled in the upper end of the frame 24. The shaft 56 is connected by gearing of any suitable type comprising bevel gears 57, 58, 59 and a with another shaft 61 which is adjustable with respect to the frame 24. The shaft 61 in turn drives the shaft 62 of the conveyer 51 by means of sprocket gears 63 and (34 connected by a sprocket chain 65. The conveyer 51 is connected to the adjustable shaft (31 by means of a detachable connection as shown in Fig. 4: comprising an open slot adapted to receive the shaft which is held in position therein by a cotter 66.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. in an elevating apparatus of the class described, the combination of a supporting frame, an elevator comprising an endless belt. a swinging arm pivotally connected at one end with said frame and at its other end pivotally connected with said elevator, and driving means for said belt comprising two sprockets chain passing around them, one of said sprockets having its axis coinciding with the axis of the pivot that connects the said arm and elevator together, and two intermeshing gears in constant engagement having their axes coinciding respectively with the axis of said lastnamed sprocket and the axis of the pivot that connects said arm with the frame.

2. In an elevating apparatus of the class described. the frame, an elevator comprising an endless belt, a swinging arm pivotally connected at one end with said frame, a rotatable shaft supported by the other end of said arm and connected with said elevator, gear members fixedly secured respectively upon opposite end portions of said shaft, means connecting one of said gear members with said.

belt to cause a movement of the belt when said shaft is rotated, and a third gear memher in constant engagement with the other one of said two first-namedv gear members, and means for driving said third gear.

3. In an elevating apparatus of the class described, the combination of a supporting beets to the hopand a combination of a supporting frame. an elevator comprising an endless belt, two parallel swinging arms each pivotally connected at one end with said frame. a hollow shaft connecting the other ends of said arms together and connected with said elevator, a rotatable shaft extending through said hollow shaft and projecting therefrom at each end. a gear member fixedly secured upon each of the projecting end portions of said last-named shaft, means connecting one of said gear members with said belt to cause a movement of the belt when said lastnamed shaft is rotated, and a third gear member in constant engagement with the other one of said two first-named gear-members, and means for driving said third gear.

4. In an elevating apparatus of the class described, the combination of a supporting frame, an elevator comprising an endless belt, a rock-shaft supported by said frame a swinging arm rigidly connected at one end with said rockshaft, a rotatable shaft sup ported from the other end of said arm and extending across and connected with said elevator, a gear member fixedly secured upon opposite end portions of said rotatable shaft, means connecting one of said gear members with said belt to cause a movement of the belt when said last namcd shaft is rotated, a third gear member in constant engagement with the other one of said two first-named gear members, means for driving said third gear, and means engaging said rock-shaft for turning it to cause a shifting of the position of the elevator.

5. In an elevating apparatus of the class described, the combination of a sup 'iorting frame, an elevator comprising an endless belt, a rock-shaft supported by said frame. two parallel swinging arms each rigidly connected at one end with said rock-shaft. a hollow shaft extending transversely of the elevator and connected therewith and also connecting the outer ends of said arms together, a. rotatable shaft extending through said hollow shaft and projecting therefrom at each end, a gear member fixedly secured upon each of the projecting end portions of said rotatable shaft, means connecting one of said gear members with said belt to cause a movement of the belt when said last-named shaft is rotated, a third gear member in constant engagement with the other one of said two first-named gear members, means for driving said third gear, and means engaging said rock-shaft for turning it to cause a shifting of the position of the elevator.

6. An elevator conveyer comprising a frame, a rock shaft mounted on a horizontal axis on said frame, a. stub shaft revolublv mounted in one end of said rock shaft. a gear fixed on said stub shaft in an offset formed in the rock shaft, arms fixed on said rock shaft and extending radially therefrom. an elevator pivotally mount-,d between said arms, means for swinging said elevator upwardly about its pivotal connection with said arms into inclined position above said frame, and driving connections between said gear and said elevator.

i T. An elevator conveyor comprising a frame, a rock shaft mounted on a horizontalv axis on said frame, a. stub shaft revolubly mounted in one end of said rock shaft, :1 gear fixed on said stub shaft in an offset formed in the rock shaft, arms fixed on said rock shaft and extending radially therefrom, an elevator pivotally mounted between said arms, means for swinging said elevator upwardly about its pivotal connection with said arms into inclined position above said fran'ie. a second gear rotata'bly mounted on' the axis upon which the elevator is pivotally rmmecied with said arms, said second gear being in mesh with said first-named gear, and driving connections between said second gear and said elevator.

' 8. An elevator conveyor comprising a frame. a rock shaft mounted on a horizontal axis on said frame, a gear rotatably mounted on the axis of said rock shaft within an offset; housing formed in the rock shaft, arms fixed on said rock shaft and extending radially therefrom, an elevator pivotally mounted between said arms, means for swinging said elevator upwardly about its pivotal connection with said arms into inclinod position above said frame, driving mechanism carried by said frame, connections between said driving, mechanism and said gear, and driving connections between said gear and said elevator.

5). an elevator conveyer comprising a frame, a link pivotally mounted on a horizontal axis thereon, an elevator pivotally mounted on a horizontal axis on said link and adapted to rest in either of two positions on said frame, driving mechanism comprising a sprocket gear mounted on said frame. a second sprocket gear rotatably mounted on said link, driving connections between said second sprocket gear and said elevator. a sprocket chain operativel connecting' said two sprocket gears. and means for shifting longitudinally of the frame the axis upon which said link mounted thereon for adjusting the. tension of said chain.

lo. Qrn elevator convcver comprising a frame. an elevator pivot-ally mounted on a horizontal axis on said frame, driving means mounted on said frame. operative driving connection between said drivii'ig means and said elevator. :ind an arm interposed between said driving means and said elevator for preventing displacement of the elevator bv the driving connections.

l'l. .ln elevator conveyor comprising a frame, an elevator pivotally mounted on a horizontal axis on said frame, a driving gear mounted on said frame, a second gear mounted on said elevator and meshing with said driving gear, means for driving the elevator from said second gear, and an arm interposed between the frame and the elevator adjacent to said gears adapted to hold the parts in position to mesh and to prevent displacement of the elevator by the application of power thereto.

12. An elevating mechanism of the class described, comprising in combination a supporting frame, an elevator having an endless belt, means for swinging said elevator in. the arc of a circle about a horizontal axis to shift it longitudinally of the frame. driving means for said elevator, means for turn ing said elevator into an inclined position or a substzmtiallv horizontal position with out disturbing the operative connection of said. driving means, a second elevator for supplying material to said l'irsonamed ele valor, and auxiliary driving means connected with said first-named driving means and adapted to bedetachably connected with said second elevator.

l3. An elevating mechanism of the class described, comprising in combination a supporting frame, an elevator having an end less belt, arms pivotally connected with said frame and with said elevator, means for swinging said arms about their pivotal conncct ion with the frame to shift the position of the elevator, means for turning said clevator into an inclined position, means for driving the endless belt of said elevator, said driving means comprising a gear whose axis coincides with the axis of the pivot that. connects said arms with the elevator. a second elevating device, and auxiliary driving means for said second elevating device, said two driving means being connected together and said auxiliary driving means comprising a rear whose axis coincides with the axis of said other gear.

14. An elevatingmechanism of the class described. comprising in combination a supporting frame, an elevator having an endless belt, arms pivotall connected with said frame and with said elevator, means for swinging said arms about their pivotal connection with the frame. to shift the position of the elevator, means for turning said eleator into an inclined position. means for driving the endless belt of said elevator, said driving means comprising a gear whose axis coincides with the axis of the pivot that connects said arms with the elevator. a second elevating device, and anxiliar driving means for said second elevatin device. said two driving means being connected together and said auxiliary driving means comprising a plurality of gear members supported above the plane of said frame and adapted to be detachably connected with said second elevating device, a gear whose axis also toincides with the axis of the pivot that connects said arms with the first-named elevator, and a chain driven by said last-named gear and passing around one of said plurality of gear members.

15. An elevating mechanism of the class described, comprising in combination a sup porting frame, an elevator having an endless belt, arms pivotally connected with said frame and With said elevator, means for swinging said arms about their ivotal connection with the frame to shii t the' position of the elevator, means for turning said elevator into an inclined osition, means for drivingthe endless belt 0 said elevator, said driving means comprising a gear Whose axis coincides with the axis of the pivot that connects said arms with the elevator, a second elevating device, and auxiliar driving means for said second elevating evice,said two driving means being connected together and said auxiliary driving means comprising a shaft supported above the plane of said. frame, gear mechanism pivotally connected with said shaft so as to swing thereon and adapted to be detachably connected with said second elevating device, a gear whose axis also coincides with the axis of the pivot that connects said arms with the first-named elevator, and a chain driven by said last-named gear and operatively connected with said shaft. 4

LEONARD B. N EIGHBOUE. 

